​Pigeon Forge – The Great Smoky Mountains Destination With Something For Everyone

Pigeon Forge waterwheel photo by Steven Skelley

Pigeon Forge

The Great Smoky Mountains Destination With Something For EveryoneBy Steven Skelley and Thomas RoutzongOver 10 million people visit Pigeon Forge, Tennessee each year. The nearby 500,000 acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the U.S. With beautiful nature, and abundance of dining options, incredible musical talent, plenty of stage shows and theatres, amusement rides, museums, shopping and Dolly Parton’s fantastic theme park Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is a vacation destination with something for everyone.We asked Leon Downey - Executive Director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism – to tell us more.How would you describe the Pigeon Forge in one sentence?Pigeon Forge is a special place in the Smoky Mountains where folks of all ages can enjoy everything from a great show to go-karts, hiking to watching a relaxing sunset, to delicious meals and comfortable accommodations.What can you tell us about the history of the Pigeon Forge?During the late 1700’s, settlers from the Carolinas followed the Great Indian Path through the Smoky Mountains along the Pigeon River and eventually settled in what is known today as Pigeon Forge.Pioneer Isaac Love established an iron forge in 1820 and his son, William, built a tub mill 10 years later. The Old Mill, now a National Historic Site, remains operational.The name Pigeon Forge evolved from two sources. “Pigeon” referred to the vast number of passenger pigeons that stopped along the river to feed on the nuts of beech trees that lined the banks. “Forge” referred to Isaac Love’s iron works, built on the east bank of the river.Pigeon Forge continued as a sleepy farming community until Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated in 1940. The town slowly began to grow, incorporating in 1961.The tourism boom hit the city in 1982, and since then, growth has been rapid. Pigeon Forge has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Southeast United States.What can you tell us about attractions, entertainment and dining in Pigeon Forge?Pigeon Forge offers something for everyone, as evidenced by more than 80 attractions located in the year-round, family-friendly vacation destination.Pigeon Forge delivers on the promise of offering something new every year, which means guests always have a new reason to come and visit, whether it’s to enjoy familiar favorites or try the latest, greatest addition.From the world-class Dollywood theme park to a variety of nightly stage shows, the city’s entertainment offerings are first class.As for dining, food is plentiful and delicious. The Old Mill restaurant serves three meals a day and grinds its own grain in its working mill. Pigeon Forge is known for the plethora of pancake house that serve up hearty breakfasts. Restaurants like Bullfish Grill and Local Goat offer expanded menus, too. No matter what your palette craves, Pigeon Forge has satisfying options for everyone. Why is Pigeon Forge so connected with Dolly Parton?With herDollywood theme park located in Pigeon Forge, Dolly Parton is a local businesswoman who has provided not only jobs but also countless memories for our guests at her Dollywood properties.She’s truly one-of-a-kind, and we are forever grateful for her many investments in Pigeon Forge and her love of and loyalty to the Smoky Mountains.Why is Pigeon Forge such a popular destination?Pigeon Forge is a popular vacation destination for so many reason.First, its physically located within a day’s drive of 2/3 of the nation’s population that lives east of the Mississippi River. In other words, you can get to Pigeon Forge by car pretty quickly.It’s the variety of attractions that appeal to various generations. Moms and dads bring their parents and their children, and they can all enjoy their visit together because our attractions have that multi-generational appeal.Pigeon Forge also is located just a stone’s throw from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the nation’s most visited - and free - national park. Miles of hiking trails invite visitors to explore this 500,000-acre national treasure.Finally, Pigeon Forge treats guests like family. Southern hospitality is our calling card, and tourism is our number one industry.We make it a point to treat folks well because we know that how they are treated will often times determine whether or not they come back.And we want people to visit again and again.

When something bears the name of Dolly Parton, you just know it is going to be something special. The iconic singer, songwriter, musician, producer, actor, author, business person, and philanthropist has excelled in every endeavor. Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a perfect example.With a massive building and more than 30 magnificent horses, the show is filled with non-stop horse riding stunts, wild west segments, music and comedy.The show opens with a friendly horse riding competition between two teams. Soon after, Native Americans performed with huge bison roaming the arena floor.

Cowboys round up Longhorn cattle, costumed men and women dance around a campfire, Southern belles lower from the ceiling to sing, children from the audience participate in a hilarious chicken race, lumberjacks compete in a variety of skills, the Skeeter & Nugget comedy team acts silly at every opportunity, wagons race, adults from the audience participate in a funny competition and a horse-shoe toilet seat toss, pigs race and there’s a star-spangled finale with a string salute to the American flag.Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction is – like everything Dolly does – first class, quality entertainment.

The Comedy Barn Theater features magicians, jugglers, ventriloquists, comedians, live country music and gospel music!

​Be prepared because they select audience members to join them on stage for silly fun.

The musicians are world class country music veterans who have played with well known stars.

The juggler had everyone laughing as he brought up a man from the audience, had him lie on the floor and then performed several feats standing over him as the man tried to protect the body parts that were most important to him.

We enjoyed an evening full of family-friendly laughter.

Dollywood​For more than 30 years, Dollywood has offered more than 40 rides, 15 shows, five festivals, educational craft demonstrations and Southern-style dining.

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood has a unique country theme where every turn brings you into another neighborhood.

​Whether you want to visit an 1890's schoolhouse, a 1950's diner, or make a holiday stop in Rudolph's Holly Jolly Junction, there is something for every age to enjoy.

​We enjoyed walking from one display to the next taking photos of ourselves with the stars.

​Hint: Look for props nearby to make your photos even more fun!

ConclusionWith beautiful nature, and abundance of dining options, incredible musical talent, plenty of stage shows and theatres, amusement rides, museums, shopping and Dolly Parton’s fantastic theme park Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is a vacation destination with something for everyone.For more information about all you can see and do in Pigeon Forge, visit http://www.mypigeonforge.com/ or phone 1-800-251-9100.Facebook users may also visit https://www.facebook.com/MyPigeonForgeTN

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